InfoSAWIT, KAMPAR – Efforts to strengthen public understanding of palm oil continue to expand through the education sector. Politeknik Kampar, through its Community Service Program (Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat/PKM), held an educational session titled “Enhancing Sustainable Palm Oil Literacy for Students of SMAN 2 Rumbio Jaya” in Kampar Regency, Riau.
The activity took place at SMAN 2 Rumbio Jaya, Rumbio Jaya District, and involved dozens of students accompanied by school staff. The program aimed to build a stronger awareness among young people about the importance of responsible palm oil management—particularly in Riau, one of Indonesia’s key palm oil producing regions.
PKM Team Leader Ardiansyah Hamid, S.Si., M.Si., said the initiative was designed to deliver a more comprehensive understanding of sustainable palm oil amid the overwhelming flow of information circulating on social media.
He noted that negative perceptions of palm oil are still widely spread, often without a solid scientific basis.
“Many negative issues about palm oil are circulating, and they are not necessarily based on scientific facts. Through this program, we want to clarify students’ understanding that the main issue is not palm oil itself, but how it is managed. Palm oil can deliver significant benefits if it is managed sustainably,” Ardiansyah said, as quoted by InfoSAWIT from the Kampar Regency Government on Saturday (24/1/2026).
During the session, the PKM team explained the three main pillars of sustainable palm oil: environmental, economic, and social. Students were encouraged to understand that palm cultivation and management must balance all three pillars at once.
From the environmental perspective, students were introduced to ecosystem protection and responsible land management practices. From the economic side, palm oil was presented as a sector that can strengthen community welfare when managed productively and fairly. Meanwhile, the social pillar highlighted the importance of maintaining harmony and building healthy relationships within communities surrounding plantations.
Interactive Discussion Encourages Critical Thinking
Instead of receiving material through one-way lectures, students actively participated in interactive discussions. They were given space to ask questions, share opinions, and discuss palm oil issues often encountered on social media and in their communities.
This approach was considered important in strengthening critical thinking and building awareness among students to filter information and avoid misinformation or misleading narratives.
SMAN 2 Rumbio Jaya Public Relations Officer Budi Irawan welcomed the initiative and said programs like this are highly relevant to local conditions.
“We hope students will not only be academically smart, but also have accurate knowledge and critical awareness of development issues, including palm oil,” he said.
Student Shares New Perspective
One student participant said the program gave a new point of view. Previously, the student assumed palm oil was always linked to environmental damage, but now understands that good practices can lead to sustainable palm oil development.
“Before, I thought palm oil always damages the environment. After joining this session, I understand that palm oil can be sustainable if it is managed properly,” the student said.
Through this program, students are expected to become “literacy agents” who can share accurate information with peers, families, and communities. Politeknik Kampar’s PKM team also confirmed that similar programs will continue to be developed to reach more schools across Kampar and other parts of Riau. (T2)
